Azran: The future of entertainment is here. Get 30 days FREE trial from iflix

BY: FRANCIS NANTHA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27, 2015:

Malaysia’s newest Internet TV streaming service iflix has local CEO and Group COO Azran Osman-Rani really excited as it is creating a new consumer market – just like what he did with AirAsia X.

And to wow those who have yet to be persuaded by the two-week free trial sign-up at the iflix website, he’s now offering readers of The Rakyat Post a special deal- a whole one month free trial!

“It is going to let people have access to video so easily that they’d soon wonder why they never had such a service before,” he said in an interview, comparing iflix to how Spotify revolutionised mass music consumption.

Azran envisions people all over watching videos streamed on their mobile devices while commuting or waiting at malls, restaurants or offices – rather than only at home.

“You can stop watching at any point and pick up later simply by pressing the pause icon on the iflix app. When you get home, its very easy to connect what’s streaming on your mobile device onto a big screen TV, using simple HDMI cables or casting devices like Chromecast or AppleTV, making the phone like a remote control. It’s going to be such a convenience that you won’t even be bothered to look for pirated DVDs or online videos any more.”

With over 10,000 hours of movies and TV series available right from the start of the iflix service, Azran said it has more content than even what business model creator – Netflix – now offers in Australia.

“Even free-to-air or pay-TV services cannot offer such breadth of content as these services focus more on fixed programming timeslots with repeated broadcasts.”

But some of content will be different – live programming like sports or news broadcasts, or even latest episodes or movies still in cinemas won’t be on iflix.

Azran said iflix – like the Netflix model – offers immediate access to all content already broadcast. This immediately relegates DVD boxed sets to closets as iflix lets you go back to first seasons of TV series with just a few swipes.

Access to iflix is also immediate – no more waiting for set-top boxes and wiring to be installed or having to go buy DVDs or for downloads to be completed.

“Being app-based, the instant access upon signing up is a major plus point. And being able to pick up from where you stopped is a convenience you soon can’t do without.”

Azran readily admits that having the right content is key to how successful iflix. “We have about 20:80 split between movies and TV series. We will offer many outstanding content that were never shown here before due to various limitations.

“And it is not just American content. We offer British programming together with that from Asia. And like what Netflix has done with original programming, we have already begun this process of own productions.”

Asked if censorship will be an issue, Azran said iflix on the Internet platform opens up lots of other potential,

“There will also be parental controls available and iflix won’t have pornography as dedicated programming because we are looking at the mass market as our consumer base.”

He said the iflix service will be focused on Southeast Asia for now, launching in Malaysia and Philippines in the first phase to better manage the cost of territorial rights for content licensing.

“The population here in Asean is some 600 million and Internet speeds are already at high levels in many of these countries. This is enough to keep us busy already without having to look at bigger markets like India and China just yet.”

The iflix subscription is RM10 monthly – and further 20% cheaper at RM96 annually, said Azran – just like how budget airlines manage to offer so much value despite full service carriers.

“With our free trials, you start paying only if you stay on. There are no registration or hidden charges. We are confident most people will stay once they discover the fantastic convenience of iflix.”

Get an EXTRA 16-days of iflix on top of the usual 14-days – now with The Rakyat Post by clicking the link below!